It is virtually impossible not to be stereotyped or misunderstood. To society’s downfall, it has become normal. In the essay “The Myth of the Latin Women” written as an example of her experiences, Judith Ortiz Cofer explains how her Latin culture is stereotyped, misunderstood and how she thinks it came to be. Everyone, more specifically everyone who is different, like Latin women, is wronged by the stereotyping and misunderstanding.
Cofer provides examples of how she and other Latin women grew up and she believes the stereotyping begins with her customs brought from the island of Puerto Rico to America. Though she was born in Puerto Rice she is an American Citizen; she does not have the same customs as her stuffy American companions. Unlike many transplants from other countries immigrants subdued their customs and embraced American traditions; Cofer’s family is American and continues their customs from their island home of Puerto Rico. Cofer explains her “life was designed as a microcosm of my parents’ casas on the island. We spoke in Spanish, we ate Puerto Rican food bought at the bodega” (877). In …show more content…
Americans believe in more modest apparel as opposed to the flamboyant, provocative, attire of the Latin culture. Latino men admire the attractively dressed women with “street poems, ” however, they know not to cross the line of obscenity, unlike the non-Latin men who see specific clothing as a sexual invitation and act on the message (Cofer 879). Through examples in her writing Cofer shows how she handle the various situations with a level head. Cofer believes the way she handled the situations is due to her education and proficient use of the English language. Not only did she rise above the uneducated people who misunderstand Latin women but also rose above the menial jobs associated with Latin
Cofer provides examples of how she and other Latin women grew up and she believes the stereotyping begins with her customs brought from the island of Puerto Rico to America. Though she was born in Puerto Rice she is an American Citizen; she does not have the same customs as her stuffy American companions. Unlike many transplants from other countries immigrants subdued their customs and embraced American traditions; Cofer’s family is American and continues their customs from their island home of Puerto Rico. Cofer explains her “life was designed as a microcosm of my parents’ casas on the island. We spoke in Spanish, we ate Puerto Rican food bought at the bodega” (877). In …show more content…
Americans believe in more modest apparel as opposed to the flamboyant, provocative, attire of the Latin culture. Latino men admire the attractively dressed women with “street poems, ” however, they know not to cross the line of obscenity, unlike the non-Latin men who see specific clothing as a sexual invitation and act on the message (Cofer 879). Through examples in her writing Cofer shows how she handle the various situations with a level head. Cofer believes the way she handled the situations is due to her education and proficient use of the English language. Not only did she rise above the uneducated people who misunderstand Latin women but also rose above the menial jobs associated with Latin